Zito, Santos' eternal captain | OneFootball

Guilherme Guarche, from the Memory CenterThe friendly and beautiful town of Roseira, in the interior of São Paulo state, 160 km from the capital, is the hometown of José Ely Miranda, Zito, born on August 8, 1932, a Monday, at a time when the city still belonged to neighboring Aparecida, during the period when the São Paulo Constitutionalist Revolution was at its height in lands near the Paraíba Valley.

The nickname comes from the diminutive of Joselito, the name his family used to call him when he was a child. He arrived at Santos in 1952, at the age of 19, to become one of the greatest leaders of the beachside club in its hundred-year history. Before that, he played for Taubaté.

His first match wearing the Santos shirt took place on June 29, 1952, in a friendly at Vila Belmiro, in a 3–1 victory over Madureira of Rio de Janeiro, with goals from Hugo (2) and Tite. Santos lined up with: Manga, Hélvio and Pascoal; Nenê, Formiga and Zito; Cento e nove, Antoninho, Nicácio, Hugo (Alemão) and Tite. The coach was the renowned Aymoré Moreira.

More than a true coach on the field, Zito was a tireless motivator who, shouting instructions, would not let Santos lose its rhythm. A good part of the great matches and unforgettable routs was due to him, as he never let the forwards feel satisfied even when the game was already won.

By the time of his first title wearing the Santos shirt, the 1955 Paulista Championship, he was already respected as a leader and the true manager of that football machine that was taking shape. He was never a great playmaker, nor did he have a powerful shot. Although he went down in history as an extraordinary ball-winner, Zito was a complete star who also knew how to create plays.

With the Brazilian National Team, Zito began his journey in 1956, becoming a two-time world champion in 1958 and 1962. He played 50 matches for Brazil and scored three goals. He also took part in the 1966 World Cup. He remained at Vila Belmiro for 15 years, until 1967.

He won 22 official titles, not counting the countless friendly tournaments. He took the field wearing the Peixe shirt 733 times, becoming the 3rd player with the most appearances for Santos, behind only Pelé and Pepe. He is one of the few players to have four world titles on his résumé, two with Santos and two with the Brazilian National Team.

After hanging up his boots, Zito continued living in Santos and served several times as a club executive. As director of the youth divisions, he was one of those responsible for the emergence of the Neymar and PH Ganso generation.

When he was already preparing to enjoy his retirement from the pitch, Zito started wearing the No. 8 shirt, allowing the young Clodoaldo to wear the No. 5 shirt and become his great successor in the Alvinegro Praiano team.

About Zito, the brilliant journalist De Vane wrote: “There was no one like Zito before him, and there has been no one like him after. There is no one now, and no one knows when there will appear such a team stimulator, such a transmitter of spirit, such a skillful and energetic guide, such a communicator of absolute balance.”

Titles with Santos

World Champion in 1962/1963

South American Champion in 1962/1963

Brazilian Champion from 1961 to 1965

Rio-São Paulo Tournament Champion in 1959/1963/1964 and 1966

Paulista Champion in 1955/1956/1960/1961/1962/1964/1965 and 1967.

He went to live beside God on a Sunday night, on June 14, 2015, at the age of 82. The wake was held at the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica, in the Marapé neighborhood of Santos, and the burial took place in Roseira, his hometown. The Santos board declared seven days of mourning.

On the night of Tuesday, October 31, 2017, Santos unveiled a statue in honor of Zito on Rua Princesa Isabel, in front of gate 6 of Vila Belmiro. The event was attended by former players such as Pepe, Coutinho, and Giovanni.

One of the tributes that moved him most was receiving from the city hall of Pindamonhangaba, a neighboring city to his Roseira in the Paraíba Valley, the honor of being immortalized in local history with his name on the José Ely de Miranda Sports Center. A fair and well-deserved tribute to the great player who remains forever in the memory of the fans of Alvinegro da Vila Belmiro.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.